Particulate Matter: Why it Matters and the Importance of Monitoring
What is Particulate Matter (PM) and Why Does it Need to be Monitored?
Particulate matter (PM) is a type of air pollution consisting of microscopic solid and liquid particles suspended in the air that can be inhaled by humans and animals. These particles are categorised based on their size such as PM10 or PM2.5, with the smallest particles posing the greatest risk to human health. Particulate matter can remain suspended in the air for long durations, causing it to be breathed in by people living or working near its source.
It can also vary in shape and chemical composition, and is generated by both natural and man-made sources including:
Windblown dust, pollen, and mould spores, which can generate PM10 particles (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less)
Combustion from vehicles and industrial processes, which can generate PM2.5 particles (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less)
Burning of biomass and bushfires, which can generate both PM10 and PM2.5 particles
In Australia, it is required by regulation to control the generation of harmful particulate matter, and exposure is also strictly managed due to the harmful effects particulate matter can pose both at high concentrations in the short term, and overall, in the long term. Smaller particles, such as those with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less (PM2.5), can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, potentially causing a wide range of health problems such as respiratory and cardiovascular problems including asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It can also worsen existing health conditions, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Particulate matter is a significant concern in many industries, especially those that involve processes that can cause fine particles to become airborne. Some of the industries where particulate matter is especially of concern include:
Construction: Construction activities such as demolition, excavation and road building can generate large amounts of dust and particulate matter, including crystalline silica dust. Crystalline silica dust is especially a concern in the construction industry due to the serious and irreversible health effects it can have on workers including silicosis.
Mining: The process of mining, which involves activities such as blasting, crushing and drilling has the potential to release significant amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere.
Manufacturing: Many manufacturing processes, such as metalworking, cement production, stonework and other processes can generate particulate matter.
Transportation: Vehicles, especially diesel-powered ones, emit particulate matter from their exhaust systems.
Agriculture: Agricultural practices such as tilling, harvesting, and burning crop residues, can release significant amounts of particulate matter into the air.
Energy generation: Fossil fuel combustion in power plants and other energy generation facilities releases particulate matter into the air.
Woodworking: Woodworking activities such as sanding and sawing can generate significant amounts of sawdust and particulate matter.
The implementation of effective control measures is important in areas where particulate matter is known to be an issue. In construction, for instance, dust suppression measures such as wetting down surfaces and using vacuum dust collection systems can be used to minimise the amount of particulate matter generated. When other high-level controls are still insufficient, fit tested face respirators can also be worn to help manage exposure.
Industry specific Codes of Practice that outline tested controls and other important details can also be followed to help manage the risks or particulate matter. These codes are established and approved by individual jurisdictions in Australia, and hence following their guidance would generally constitute compliance. Similarly, to regulations, these Codes deal with specific issues rather than encompass all potential hazards associated with an operation, meaning that businesses would still need to consider other risks outside those outlined in a Code of Practice.
Who Regulates Particulate Matter Exposure in Australia
There are multiple bodies which manage and regulate how particulate matter is handled in Australia;
Safe Work Australia manages national policy on worker safety, ensuring that workers are not exposed to excessive levels of particulate matter that would negatively impact their health. They have established Workplace Exposure Standards for airborne contaminants which outline concentrations for specific substances that must not be exceeded.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for each state regulates activities that can cause harm to the environment both for the community and for businesses. This includes air quality and particulate matter.
The National Environment Protection Council implements national objectives for protecting the environment including the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) on Ambient Air Quality. As a national body, they work closely with the EPA of each state to enforce legislation.
In addition to the aforementioned bodies, work health and safety is managed by individual jurisdictions who are responsible for enforcing national policy. In accordance with the model WHS laws, each jurisdiction is expected to make variations to the WHS laws to ensure that it is effective. This means that businesses will need to ensure that they comply with the specific requirements set by the jurisdiction in which they operate.
These jurisdictional WHS regulators in Australia include:
SafeWork NSW
WorkSafe Victoria
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
SafeWork SA
WorkSafe WA
WorkSafe Tasmania
NT WorkSafe
WorkSafe ACT
Comcare
Instrumentation for Monitoring Airborne Particulate Matter
The measurement and monitoring of particulate matter are typically done in terms of the mass per volume of air. The most commonly used units of measurement are milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m3) and parts per million (ppm), which can be measured using different types of equipment suited to different scenarios.
The measurement of particulate matter can be carried out using a variety of instruments that differ in their accuracy. These include:
Real-Time Monitoring Real-time monitoring involves using instruments that can continuously measure and report the concentration of particulate matter in the air. These instruments can provide immediate results and are useful for identifying short-term changes in particulate matter exposure levels.
Real-time monitoring instruments such as the Aeroqual S500 Air Quality Monitor use optical or other physical principles to detect and quantify particulate matter, and can be calibrated to measure specific sizes or types of particles. Real-time monitoring stations such as the Australian Made AirMetER-DX Dust Monitoring Station on the other hand can also be installed in strategic locations to continuously measure particulate matter over an area. Housed in a weather resistant enclosure, the AirMetER-DX Particle Monitor is ideal for outdoor perimeter dust monitoring and can provide users with continuous measuring and recording of PM2.5 and PM10. Monitoring stations like the AirMetER-DX can often also provide additional monitoring parameters including weather monitoring and noise monitoring. Additionally, contemporary air quality monitoring stations commonly leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) and web-based data portals like the Air-Met Scientific’s Livesense, allowing site and safety managers to access data remotely and act as a powerful tool in evaluating the effectiveness of controls.
Gravimetric Sampling Gravimetric sampling involves using instruments such as the SKC AirChek Essential Sampling Pump to collect particles onto a filter and measure the mass of the collected particles. This technique provides a measure of the average particulate matter concentration over a specific time period. Gravimetric sampling provides accurate and reliable data, but the measurement results are not available in real-time and require laboratory analysis.
Choosing a suitable instrument for monitoring particulate matter will depend on the type of particle that needs to be monitored as well as a variety of other factors. Equipment for measuring particulate matter is available for both rental and sale form Air-Met Scientific. To better understand what instrument best fits your monitoring needs, contact your local Air-Met Scientific office for more information.
